I usually lack the wherewithal for multi-step manis involving a base and top coat when I’m painting my paws (read: I’m too lazy, yo), even though my rational mind fully recognizes the prudence of taking the extra time to extend the life of my polish.

This is partly due to thinking that the bottles in the kit look kind of sci-fi and cool, like they belong in an Apple store beside the latest iMacs, and also because they just plain work.

Base Coat

The kit gets high marks from reviewers on sephora.com, and I can see why. I used the Nail Cleanser (a brush-on liquid that helps remove residue from your nails so the products you layer on top bind better), Base Coat and Top Coat with Tom Ford’s Viper Nail Lacquer this week, and my nails have definitely handled the hell I regularly put them through better.

Top Coat

Gravy can opening, nail swatching, dishwashing, typing, filing — six full days after applying Viper, I’m only just starting to see the tiniest chips at the very tips of my nails; I think I just might be able to squeeze out another two or three days (at least) from this mani.

My mani after six days with Tom Ford Viper after using The System… Still looks good, yeah?

The kit also comes with a fourth product. In addition to the Nail Cleanser, Base Coat and Top Coat, you get your choice of Sephora X Nail Polish shades, of which there are plenty to choose from.

I was just really in the mood to wear Viper this week, which is why I’m not wearing a Sephora Formula X shade today.

For my next mani, though, I’m thinking about the Formula X shade in Orbit, a dark sky blue. I think it’ll look just as great.

Purchased separately, the products in the kit would set you back $44, so the $32 price tag also represents a pretty good savings.

You can find the Formula X “The System” now at Sephora stores and sephora.com.

To funny that you posted about this. I’m heading to Sephora tomorrow and I was seriously thinking about picking this up. i have read the reviews and now that I’ve read your review, this is must have for me!